Summary of Top Attractions at Iguassu Falls
The Brazilian gateway to Iguassu Falls, referred to as Cataratas do Iguaçu in Portuguese, is the vibrant city of Foz do Iguaçu. To fully experience this natural wonder, crossing borders is essential—on the other side lies Argentina’s Iguazu Park, both designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moreover, the Triple Border of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay is just a short distance away. Below are the best activities for travelers to enjoy the stunning scenery and attractions in this unique part of South America.
Parque Nacional do Iguaçu
The prime location for enjoying the beauty of Iguaçu Falls is undoubtedly at Parque Nacional do Iguaçu. Established in 1939, this park is the second oldest national park in Brazil and safeguards one of South America’s largest preserved forest areas.
Travelers can take a double-decker bus from the Visitors Center (departures every 15 minutes) to the Brazilian walkway, which begins at Hotel das Cataratas and meanders to Salto Floriano, popularly known as the Floriano Fall. The walkway stretches approximately 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles).
At the base of Floriano Fall, there are lookout points for stunning views, as well as another vantage point higher up. Close by, the park’s restaurant, Porto Canoas, offers regional Brazilian cuisine amidst the backdrop of diverse wildlife.
Macuco Safari Boat Ride
Prepare to get soaked on this thrilling boat ride! It’s advisable to bring an extra T-shirt in a plastic bag, as wet bags are also available at the dock. Do not forget your camera; your guide will inform you when to protect it from the water.
Macuco Safari tours commence at Kilometer 25 along the Cataratas Highway within the Brazilian Iguaçu National Park. The multi-lingual guides lead a 1.5-mile ride through the forest on electric jeep tows, provide an optional short walk to a small waterfall, and end with an adventurous boat ride near Three Musketeers Fall, where you are sure to get splashed. The robust boats can accommodate 25 passengers and leave every 10 minutes, with the entire experience lasting about two hours.
Rafting and River Trip
For those seeking more water fun, Macuco Safari also offers a 30-minute rafting trip, beginning with a transfer from the boat ride to the raft.
An exciting choice includes the Iguaçu Explorer, a three-and-a-half-hour journey on a 40-passenger boat towards the Paraguayan border of the Iguaçu River. A notable highlight is the visit to the Moises Bertoni Museum, once the home of notable scientist Moises Bertoni, who dedicated his life to various fields of research in Paraguay.
Helicopter Flights Over Iguassu Falls
Although a splurge, the rush of soaring over Iguaçu Falls is widely regarded as worth it. Helisul, a local company operating since 1972, offers thrilling helicopter rides departing from their heliport at the entrance of Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, as well as another near the waterfalls. Helicopters accommodate the pilot and three passengers and only take off when fully booked. The minimum cost is 70 reais (approximately $40) for a 10-minute ride, with longer flights available (35 minutes) costing around $400 for up to four passengers, covering notable views including the Itaipu Dam.
While the front seat provides the best perspective for capturing the incredible sights, even passengers in the back can snap stunning photos.
Parque das Aves
Parque das Aves, also known as the Bird Park, is a private establishment committed to wildlife conservation, education, and research. Founded in 1994, it boasts expansive aviaries where visitors can view macaws, hummingbirds, toucans, and a multitude of other bird species up close. The park features wheelchair-accessible paths that weave through lush, preserved forests and is well-known for its Butterfly House. Additionally, other wildlife, such as marmosets, anacondas, and alligators, can also be spotted within the park’s confines.
Campo de Desafios
Campo de Desafios (The Field of Challenges) is dedicated to adventure travel, offering several exhilarating activities in the Iguazu Canyon. Those seeking adrenaline can engage in canopy walks, rappel, climbing, and rafting, all managed by a team trained to assist travelers with special needs.
Parque Nacional Iguazú
On the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls, three impressive walkways greet visitors. A train ride conveniently connects the Visitors Center and the walkway leading to the Devil’s Throat—the longest suspension bridge over the river. An enchanting boat ride also traverses between the Lower Walkway, which typically takes an hour to explore, and San Martin Island, the ideal location for appreciating the Argentinean falls. Sufficient time should be allocated for a comprehensive experience of these natural wonders.
Bela Vista Sanctuary
Itaipu Binacional, acknowledged as the world’s largest hydroelectric plant, oversees eight biological reserves and sanctuaries shared between Brazil and Paraguay. Refúgio Biológico Bela Vista, one of two sanctuaries located in Brazil, is a haven for jaguars, capybaras, anteaters, alligators, and numerous other species thriving in environments resembling their natural habitats.
Visits to the sanctuary need to be arranged in advance, and they include an informative tour of the Itaipu Hydroelectric plant. For visitors planning a weekend escape, the plant illuminates beautifully on Friday and Saturday nights, offering a spectacular nighttime view.
Moonlight Tour
On full moon nights, take an enchanting double-decker from the Parque Nacional do Iguaçu Visitors Center to Porto Canoas for cocktails and dinner accompanied by live music. Afterward, participants can enjoy a guided walk to the Naipi site, which features a panoramic elevator that brings you closer to the falls. On clear, moonlit nights, a silvery rainbow graces the waters. Dinner is offered at La Selva restaurant in Argentina.
From September to December, Brasil das Águas invites visitors to join a moonlight tour to Garganta do Diabo (Devil’s Throat). This experience includes dinner at La Selva and an option for a four-night stay at Rafain Palace Hotel in Foz do Iguaçu, complete with benefits such as dinner and a show at an Argentine casino.
Salto Monday in Paraguay
While in the vicinity of the Triple Border, consider extending your adventure to visit Salto Monday in Paraguay, featuring the region’s second-largest waterfall. Comprising three stunning waterfalls along the Monday River, the tallest plunges down approximately 130 feet. Situated in Puerto Presidente Franco, just 12 miles from the Friendship Bridge and close to Ciudad del Este, Salto Monday stands as a key attraction in Paraguay’s Alto Paraná, known among locals for its recreational appeal.
Every April, the Salto Del Monday Festival showcases the local arts and culture, steeped in a rich Guarani heritage.
